Technology accused of aiding ID theft

Increasing use of technology is taking humans out of the loop

The increased use of technology may actually make identity theft worse, according to research from the University of East Anglia. 

In a speech at the BA Festival of Science on Wednesday 7 September criminologist Dr Emily Finch will report that human vigilance is the best bulwark against identity fraud, and that the increasing use of technology is taking humans out of the loop and making them less trustful of their own intuition. 

Dr Finch will argue that studies of criminal behavior have shown that technological fixes like ID cards have little effect in cutting offending.

"There is a worrying assumption that advances in technology will provide the solution to identity theft, whereas it is possible that they may actually aggravate the problem," she said.

"Our research has shown that fraudsters are tenacious, merely adapting their strategies to circumvent new security measures rather than desisting from fraudulent behaviour.

"Studying the way that individuals disclose sensitive information would be far more valuable in preventing identity fraud than the evolution of technologically advanced, but ultimately fallible, measures to prevent the misuse of personal information after it has been obtained."

For example, those who use chip and Pin systems on credit and debit cards now have to contend with 'shoulder surfing' criminals who remember the four-digit code. But because the system is in place, retailers fail to check for personal information.

Dr Finch cited an unofficial experiment where she swapped cards and Pins with a male colleague. No-one noticed that the card was being used by someone of the wrong gender.

The disconnection that technology can bring is also a factor. Conversing with someone online means that people cannot see visual clues to their behaviour, making it easier to lie.

This is not the first time that accusations have been made about the likely ineffectiveness of ID card technology. Security experts, academics, analysts and politicians have all raised serious concerns about the possible impact of identity cards.